Fire-escape



(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

D. P. EDGAR.

FIRE ESCAPE. No. 287,257. Patented Oct. 23, 1883.

26mm. 1 J -9 MM J ATTORNEY D. P. EDGAR.

(No Model.)

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Oct. 23, 1883.

INVENTOR 1 871712: .9. 9mm

* /&

ATTORNEY WITNESS S UNiTED STAT S DENNIS P.'EDGAR, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

Fl RE- ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 287,257, dated October23, 1883.

Application filed March 21,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DENNIS P. EDGAR, acitizen of the United States, residing at Jackson, in the county ofJackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make-and usethe same.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in fireescapes, theobj ect of which is to furnish a ready means of escape from a burningbuilding. This object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in thedrawings forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is afront elevation of a building furnished with one of my devices, (whenplaced on the outside.) Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my device whenplaced on the outside of a building, and also of another within a building. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the outside fire-escape. Fig. 4is a staple to be used in fastening the device to a building. Fig. 5 isa wooden wedge to be inserted and driven into the mortar between thebricks, and to receive the pointed ends of the staple when driven intothe wall. Fig. 6 is a modification of the stand-pipe, showingcross-pieces which are intended to serve as additional steps.

The letter A indicates a water stand-pipe.

B are four corner-posts of any suitable material, such as gas-pipe.

B are hooks, which engage with the top of the building, thewindow-sills, or any other part of the building which may furnish asuitable support.

B are vertical rods extending from one step to the other.

D are diagonal braces.

E are steps or platforms.

E are external steps or platforms extending from each side of theescape, to enable persons to obtain access thereto from windows or doorson either side of it.

J is a staple, and K a wooden wedge employed in fastening the escape tothe outside of a building. WVhen the escape is 011 the inside of abuilding, it may-be formed of iron or other suitable material of tubularshape, having doors, as shown at M M in Fig. 2,

and above the doors have bull s-eyes G, of colored glass, and a gas-jet,H, to indicate its 10- cality. A pipe, A, may also extend from awater-tank in the top of the building to the inside of the tube, (wherethere are no regular waterworks.)

A shows a semicircular opening in the steps for the passage of thestand-pipe A.

It is designed to have notices placed in each room calling attention tothe escapes and where they are located.

In using the escape, persons, on entering,will sit down at once upon thefirst step or platform, then turn around and lower themselves to thenext step, and so on, step by step, until they have descended out ofdanger.

The water-pipe and escape afford firemen a ready means to get to a fireand put it out before the arrival of other appliances.

The steps, being a little diagonal,will allow large persons to pass,taking less room for con struction.

If thought desirable for the convenience and greater safety of women andchildren, the stand-pipe A, as shown in the different views, may befurnished with handles, as illustrated inFig. 6, and referred 'to by theletter 6.

To fasten the escape to brick or stone walls,

the wedge K is inserted in the mortar-joint,

the pipe is put. in the eyelet of the staple J, the ends placed over thewedge and driven into the mortarjoint, which makes it perfectly secure.

The steps E should be placed low enough to permit persons to pass out ofthe windows onto the steps, and thence to the interior of the escape.

The steps E may also be extended in each direction and form balconiesunder each row of windows in a building.

The main escape may be carried down as far as the lower lintel, and ashort section provided with hooks, to complete the descent to theground, (for the purpose of removal, to shut out burglars.)

I propose to call this device the Great World Fire Escape.

Having described my invention, what I de sire to secure by LettersPatent and to claim steps a, as described, and for the purposes set isforth. 1o 1. In a fire-escape, the vertical posts B, hav- In testimonywhereof I affix my signature in ing hooks B and braces D B, incombination presenceof two witnesses. 5 with alternate steps E and sidesteps, E, as de- DENNIS P. EDGAR.

scribed, and for the purposes set forth.' Witnesses:

2. In a fire-escape, the posts B and steps E MARCUS KEAN, E, incombination with stand-pipe A, having WM. H. PoTTs.

